Our Team

A California native, Aaron dreamed of becoming a doctor before he found his calling in wine while earning his Bachelor of Science in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior at UC Davis. This burgeoning curiosity inspired Aaron to become a harvest intern in Napa Valley immediately following his undergraduate graduation in 2000. This first harvest led to a second in San Luis Obispo before Aaron returned to UC Davis to earn a Master of Science in Viticulture and Enology.

With his degree and a fresh-off-the-press article published in the American Journal of Enology and Viticulture, Aaron traveled abroad to gain experience working in the cellar in Italy and New Zealand before returning to California and planting roots in Napa. During his first position as Enologist at Groth Vineyards & Winery, he fell in love with the Oakville winegrowing region. Aaron then joined Lewis Cellars as Assistant Winemaker before being promoted to Associate Winemaker.

In 2012, Aaron returned to Oakville to lead the team at PlumpJack Estate Winery as Head Winemaker and has since been honored with several accolades, including three 100-point Cabernet Sauvignons and two Syrahs in the Top 100 Wines of the World.

When Aaron is not in the cellar or vineyard, he’s often found cooking, gardening, hiking, traveling, camping, and enjoying life with his wife and children.

Cortney grew up surrounded by cherry, peach, and walnut orchards in the small farming town of Linden, California. She attended Fresno State, where she majored in Biology with great ambitions of becoming a pharmacist. However, as a freshman, she toured the winery facility at Fresno State and fell in love. It was the perfect combination of her two passions: agriculture and science. So, the next day, she went to the admissions office, changed her major, and graduated in 2010 with a degree in Viticulture and Enology.

Following graduation, Cortney immediately set her sights on a southern hemisphere harvest at Indevin, a large custom crush facility in Marlborough, New Zealand. While working there, Cortney worked with several white grape varietals, expanding her knowledge of white wines in a diverse climate from her native California. When she returned to the States in August 2011, Cortney interned at Lynmar Estate, working under Winemaker Bibiana González Rave — Cortney’s role model and mentor. Bibiana taught her the basics of managing a cellar and working with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes from vineyard to barrel. The following year, Cortney returned to Indevin and Lynmar, each allowing her to take on a more prominent role to refine her skills. After the 2012 harvest at Lynmar, she wanted to lay down some roots and cut her teeth with a small, cutting-edge winery, working with people who shared her passion and dedication for making spectacular wine. It didn’t take long for Cortney to find that place. In 2013, she joined the PlumpJack family at Odette Estate, which, at the time, was a brand new winery with just one harvest under their belts. Not knowing what to expect from the wines since they were still young, it only took one sip for Cortney to realize they were remarkable. It was a perfect fit.

After three years at Odette Estate, in 2016, Cortney jumped ship to PlumpJack Estate, where she started as Enologist. She was promoted to Assistant Winemaker in 2019 and continues working alongside Winemaker Aaron Miller.